Motorists who suffer from a certain condition have been urged to let the DVLA know or run the risk of accidents and huge financial penalties. With the Easter holidays rapidly approaching, many drivers are planning long-distance road trips across the country to see loved ones or experience a change of scenery. Whilst most drivers know that a good night's rest is necessary to stay alert behind the wheel, Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, noted that it is crucial for those with sleep apnoea to notify the DVLA.
He said: "We know that driving while tired is extremely dangerous. But the problem with sleep apnoea is that despite it being a common medical condition that you need to notify the DVLA about, it can also be hard to detect and diagnose in the first place – largely because the symptoms occur when you’re asleep. If you snore excessively and you’re feeling fatigued over a prolonged period of time, you may well be suffering with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome."
Sleep apnoea is a condition in which a person's breathing slows down or temporarily stops altogether whilst they are asleep, resulting in increased drowsiness when they are awake.
Whilst the disorder typically comes with symptoms, such as loud snoring and headaches upon waking up, it can be hard for an individual to spot.
However, drivers with sleep apnoea who take to the roads whilst feeling tired are likely to experience significantly slower reaction times - increasing the risk of accidents when faced with sudden scenarios.
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As a result, Graham urged all Brits who think they have sleep apnoea to report the condition to the DVLA, noting that they could be given a hefty fine if they fail to do so.
He said: "Failing to report sleep apnoea to the DVLA could result in a fine of up to £1,000, and there’s also a risk of prosecution and heavier fines if the condition leads to a road traffic accident.
"If sleep apnoea is suspected or confirmed, drivers should also inform their car insurance provider, as failing to disclose a medical condition could invalidate their cover."
The DVLA has a lengthy list of medical conditions that must be reported by drivers who suffer them in order to reduce the risk of accidents taking place behind the wheel.
This includes medications a motorist may take to ease the symptoms of a particular ailment. In many cases, motorists will still be able to use their car after reporting a condition; however, could be asked to follow certain restrictions to keep themselves and others safe.
Drivers are able to see a full list of medical conditions that could affect their driving on the DVLA's website and can report any that affect them online.